* The Red Sox open their final road series of the season tonight as they face the White Sox in the first of a four-game set at U.S. Cellular Field. This series marks the first and only trip to the Windy City for the Sox and must sweep the four-game set to win the season series with the Pale Hose. Since 2007, the Sox have won seven of their last 12 in Chicago. The Sox have won or split each of the last seven season series against the White Sox.

Happy birthday to Red Sox hall of famer Johnny Pesky who turns 91 years young today.

On the road, one last time: The Red Sox continue their seven-game roadtrip tonight with the opener of four against the White Sox in Chicago. Following this series, the Sox conclude the season with a three-game series against the Yankees at Fenway. The Sox have won six of their last seven road games, while the team is 34-25 away from Fenway Park since May 22, the second-best mark in the Majors.

For the Record: The Sox are 86-69, good for third in the American League East, fifth in the A.L. and tenth-best in the Majors. Boston has lost five of the last nine and their playoff hopes can end with a loss or a Yankees win tonight. They sit in third place in the division (7.0 games behind the Rays, elimination number is 1) and second place in the Wild Card (6.5 games behind the Yankees, elimination number is 1).

Thanks, Mike: The Sox have designated Saturday’s game as “Thanks, Mike Night” at Fenway Park to honor Mike Lowell as he retires from baseball after a remarkable 13-year career. The four-time All-Star will be honored during on-field ceremonies before the game.

Spreading the Wealth: The Sox have had 52 players appear in a game this year, most in the A.L. and tied for second in the Majors with the Pirates, behind the Marlins (55). Last season, 52 players also appeared in a game. Boston has used 25 pitchers in 2010, tied for most in the A.L. with the Royals.

* The Red Sox meet their rival Yankees in the final game of a three-game weekend series in the Bronx tonight. The teams meet again to conclude the season next weekend at Fenway Park. New York has taken seven of the first 14 games in the series, while the Sox are 5-3 at Yankee Stadium. Dating back to May 18, the Sox have won five of the last seven against the Bombers.

On the road, one more time: The Red Sox continue their seven-game roadtrip tonight with the finale of three against the Yankees in the Bronx. Following tonight’s game, the Sox begin a four-game series at Chicago to round out the road schedule tomorrow. The Sox have won six road games in a row and eight of the last ten, while the team is 34-24 away from Fenway Park since May 22, the best in the Majors.

For the Record: The Sox are 86-68, good for third in the American League East, tied for fourth in the A.L. and eighth-best in the Majors. Boston has won four of the last eight, but their playoff fates are fading fast. They sit in third place in the division (7.0 games behind the Yankees, elimination number is 2) and second place in the Wild Card (5.5 games behind Tampa Bay, elimination number is 3).

Thanks, Mike: The Sox have designated next Saturday’s game as “Thanks, Mike Night” at Fenway Park to honor Mike Lowell as he retires from baseball after a remarkable 13-year career. The four-time All-Star will be honored during on-field ceremonies before the game.

Spreading the Wealth: The Sox have had 52 players appear in a game this year, most in the A.L. and tied for second in the Majors with the Pirates, behind the Marlins (55). Last season, 52 players also appeared in a game. Boston has used 25 pitchers in 2010, tied for most in the A.L. with the Royals.

* The Red Sox meet their rival Yankees in the opening game of a three-game weekend series in the Bronx tonight, their first meeting since the first weekend of August. New York has taken seven of the first 12 games in the series, but are 3-3 at Yankee Stadium. Dating back to May 18, the Sox have won three of the last five against the Bombers.

Series Pitching Change: Dustin Moseley (4-3, 4.94) will take the place of Phil Hughes in Sunday night’s game for New York. Manager Joe Girardi wants to cut back on his innings before the postseason.

On the road, one more time: The Red Sox open their final roadtrip of the season tonight with the first of three against the Yankees in the Bronx. Following this series, the Sox play four games at Chicago to round out the road schedule. The Sox have won four road games in a row and six of the last eight, while the team is 32-24 away from Fenway Park since May 22, the best in the Majors.

For the Record: The Sox are 84-68, good for third in the American League East, fourth in the A.L. and ninth-best in the Majors. Boston has lost four of six, but their playoff fates are fading fast. They sit in third place in the division (7.5 games behind the Yankees, elimination number is 3) and second place in the Wild Card (7.0 games behind Tampa Bay, elimination number is 4).

Spreading the Wealth: The Sox have had 52 players appear in a game this year, most in the A.L. and tied for second in the Majors with the Pirates, behind the Marlins (55). Last season, 52 players also appeared in a game. Boston has used 25 pitchers in 2010, tied for most in the A.L. with the Royals.

* The Red Sox and Orioles conclude their final series of the season at Fenway Park tonight. Despite sitting deep in the division cellar, the Orioles have a 9-8 advantage in the season series. The Sox are 4-4 against them at Fenway and 4-5 in Camden Yards.

Hitting a home stretch: The Red Sox conclude a six-in-six homestand with the finale of three against Baltimore. Following this series, the Sox have Thursday off and open up the final roadtrip of the season with stops in New York (this weekend) and Chicago (next Monday-Thursday). The Sox have won 23 of the last 42 home games and the club is 42-28 at home since April 20, the sixth-best record in the A.L. in that span.

For the Record: The Sox are 83-68, good for third in the American League East, fifth in the A.L. and tenth-best in the Majors. The Sox have won five of nine and are 28-242 since July 26. The Sox sit third in the division, nine games behind first place New York. They also stand in second place in the Wild Card race, 6.5 games behind first-place Tampa Bay.

Spreading the Wealth: The Sox have had 52 players appear in a game this year, most in the A.L. and tied for second in the Majors with the Pirates, behind the Marlins (55). Last season, 52 players also appeared in a game. Boston has used 25 pitchers in 2010, tied for most in the A.L. with the Royals.

* The Red Sox and Orioles play game two of a three-game series at Fenway Park tonight, the second to last game of the season series. Despite sitting deep in the division cellar, the Orioles and Sox have each won eight games in the series. The Birds won four of the first six games of the series, but the Sox have come back to win four of the last seven. The Sox are 4-3 against them at Fenway and 4-5 in Camden Yards.

Hitting a home stretch: The Red Sox continue a six-in-six homestand with the second of three against Baltimore. Following this series, the Sox have Thursday off and open up the final roadtrip of the season with stops in New York (this weekend) and Chicago (next Monday-Thursday). The Sox have won 23 of the last 41 home games and the club is 42-27 at home since April 20, the sixth-best record in the A.L. in that span.

For the Record: The Sox are 83-67, good for third in the American League East, fifth in the A.L. and tied for eighth-best in the Majors. The Sox have won five of eight and are 28-23 since July 26. The Sox sit third in the division, seven games behind first place New York. They also stand in second place in the Wild Card race, 6.5 games behind first-place Tampa Bay.

Congrats Clay: Right-handed pitcher Clay Buchholz was today named the 2010 recipient of the BoSox Club Man of the Year Award. Buchholz was chosen not only for his contributions to the success of the Red Sox but also for his cooperation and efforts in community endeavors. The award will be presented at the BoSox Club’s luncheon tomorrow, Wednesday, September 22 at the Newton Marriott where various local amateur championship teams will also be honored.

Spreading the Wealth: The Sox have had 52 players appear in a game this year, most in the A.L. and tied for second in the Majors with the Pirates, behind the Marlins (55). Last season, 52 players also appeared in a game. Boston has used 25 pitchers in 2010, tied for most in the A.L. with the Royals.

* The Red Sox and Orioles open up their final series of the season at Fenway Park tonight with the first of a three-game set. Despite sitting deep in the division cellar, the Orioles only trail the Sox by one game in the season series (8-7). The Birds won four of the first six games of the series, but the Sox have come back to win four of the last six. The Sox are 4-2 against them at Fenway and 4-5 in Camden Yards.

Hitting a home stretch: The Red Sox continue a six-in-six homestand with the opener of three against Baltimore. Following this series, the Sox have Thursday off and open up the final roadtrip of the season with stops in New York (this weekend) and Chicago (next Monday-Thursday). The Sox have won 23 of the last 40 home games and the club is 42-26 at home since April 20, the sixth-best record in the division in that span.

For the Record: The Sox are 83-66, good for third in the American League East, fifth in the A.L. and tied for ninth-best in the Majors. The Sox have won five of seven and are 28-22 since July 26. The Sox sit third in the division, seven games behind first place New York. They also stand in second place in the Wild Card race, 6.5 games behind first-place Tampa Bay.

Spreading the Wealth: The Sox have had 52 players appear in a game this year, most in the A.L. and tied for second in the Majors with the Pirates, behind the Marlins (55). Last season, 52 players also appeared in a game. Boston has used 25 pitchers in 2010, tied for most in the A.L. with the Royals.

* This series marks the final series of the season between the Sox and Jays. The Sox hold an 11-4 advantage and will win the set in consecutive years for the first time since 2003-04. The Sox have the most victories (270) against the Blue Jays, more than any team.

* The Red Sox lead the series after taking the first two games by 5-1 and 9-6 scores. This marks the final game of the series between the Sox and M’s with the Sox holding a 6-3 advantage. Boston has won 13 of 20 against Seattle since June 7, 2008 and 16 of the last 26.

Hitting a home stretch: The Red Sox conclude a six-game, six-day West Coast road trip with the finale of three in Seattle. Following the game tonight, the Sox have tomorrow off and return to Fenway on Friday to open a six-game homestand against Toronto and Baltimore. Following this roadtrip, Boston rounds out its regular season schedule with one final roadtrip and two homestands. The Sox have won 10 of the last 15 road contests, but is 31-24 since May 22, third in the Majors.

For the Record: The Sox are 81-64, good for third in the American League East, fifth in the A.L. and tied for ninth-best in the Majors. The Sox have lost nine of 16, but is 26-20 since July 26. The Sox sit third in the division, seven games behind first place New York. They are also tied for second place in the Wild Card race with the White Sox, 6.5 games behind first-place Tampa Bay.

2011 schedule released: The Red Sox 2011 schedule was released yesterday and is available at redsox.com. Boston opens the regular season on April 1 at Texas and hosts the Yankees in the home opener on April 8.

On the road to the playoffs: Low-A Greenville and Lakewood (PHI) are tied at 1-1 in the South Atlantic League Championship Series, after the Drive had not lost in the postseason. Game three takes place Thursday in New Jersey with Chris Balcom-Miller on the mound.

* The Red Sox took salvaged the final game of their weekend series in Oakland with a 5-3 win yesterday afternoon. This current set concludes the season series between the Sox and M’s with the Sox holding a 4-3 advantage. One win in the series gives Boston a win or split of the season series with Seattle. Boston has won 11 of 18 against Seattle since June 7, 2008 and 14 of the last 24.

Roster Move: This afternoon, the Sox selected the contract of pitcher Rich Hill from Triple-A Pawtucket. The 30-year-old Hill graduated from Milton High School, but was born in Boston. He went 3-1 with a 3.74 ERA in 19 games (six starts) for the PawSox this season after being signed by the Sox as a minor league free agent on June 30.

Hitting a home stretch: The Red Sox continue a six-game, six-day West Coast road trip with the first of three in Seattle. Following this series, the Sox have Thursday off and return to Fenway on Friday to open a six-game homestand against Toronto and Baltimore. Following this roadtrip, Boston rounds out its regular season schedule with one final roadtrip and two homestands. The Sox have won eight of the last 13 road contests, but is 29-24 since May 22, third in the Majors.

For the Record: The Sox are 79-64, good for third in the A.L. East and tied for tenth-best in the Majors. The Sox have lost nine of 14, but is 24-20 since July 26. The Sox sit third in the division, eight games behind first place New York. They are also tied for second place in the Wild Card race with the White Sox, 7.5 games behind first-place Tampa Bay.

On the road to the playoffs: Low-A Greenville opens the South Atlantic League Championship Series tonight at Flour Field when they host Lakewood (PHI). Drake Britton starts the 7:05 p.m. contest for the Drive, who swept Savannah (NYM) in the first round.

* The Red Sox took two of three from the Rays with an 11-5 win on Wednesday. This current series concludes the season series between the Sox and A’s as the teams are tied at three in that series. Boston has won or split the season series with Oakland for four straight seasons and have won seven of their last 12 games.

For the Record: The Sox are 78-62, good for third in the A.L. East and ninth-best in the Majors. The Sox have lost seven of 11, but is 23-18 since July 26. The Sox sit third in the division, nine games behind first place New York. They also sit in second place in the Wild Card race, 6.5 games behind first-place Tampa Bay.

Hitting a home stretch: The Red Sox open a six-game, six-day West Coast road trip with the first of three in Oakland. Following this weekend series, the Sox travel to Seattle from Monday through Wednesday. Following this roadtrip, Boston rounds out its regular season schedule with one final roadtrip and two homestands. The Sox have won just six of ten road contests, but are 28-22 since May 22, third in the Majors.

On the road to the playoffs: Low-A Greenville won the first game of their South Atlantic League Southern Division Championship series with an 8-3 win over Savannah (NYM) on Wednesday. Chris Balcom-Miller is making the start for the Drive in tonight’s second game.